Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife & Hide Yo Husband!

October 31, 2010 7:26 AM

It's the BED INTRUDER COSTUME! The perfect last minute Halloween costume. Who is the brilliant inspiration behind the bed intruder? Antoine Dodson. Previously.
posted by Fizz (50 comments total)

I feel really sorry for this guy. His sister gets raped and now he's an internet celeb...for being emotional about a loved one getting attacked.
posted by Phalene at 7:35 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

He doesn't want sympathy.

Plus, his sister was attacked but not raped, she fought the guy off.

Dog costume.
posted by morganannie at 7:38 AM on October 31, 2010 [4 favorites]

He does personally endorse the product, though. The video clips on the bottom of the page are of him doing just that.

My main problem with this is that surely there is a nonzero number of idiot frat boys out there right now wearing this costume with blackface and thinking it's ironic and not schmuckish.
posted by elizardbits at 7:40 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

Yeah, I literally ran into Mr. Dodson in the ATL Airport a bit back -- he and his associate worth both wearing 'hide your kids' t-shirts, that he's getting a cut of. It's a peculiar sort of 15 minutes, to be sure, but he is certainly cashing in on any money that's coming to him -- so good on him.
posted by cavalier at 7:42 AM on October 31, 2010 [4 favorites]

I don't think she was raped, Dodson intervened before anything could happen.

I like him, he seems like a nice guy who is taking his 15 minutes in stride. I hope he makes all the money he can off this whole ordeal. It's good to see someone get rewarded for a heroic act.
posted by cloeburner at 7:42 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

This is like when Anil Dash wore a Goatse t-shirt to a NYT photo shoot and people started calling him "the goatse guy." Surely this should be the Bed Defender costume?
posted by danb at 7:42 AM on October 31, 2010 [6 favorites]

Yeah, that's exactly the problem I have with it too, elizardbits. I still remember looking at pictures from an Halloween party on Facebook and there was a dude who rubbed himself down with tanning cream or something and wore a mohawk and overalls. At first I thought he was supposed to be some sort of punk-rock pumpkin dude, but no. He was Mr. T. Sigh.
posted by griphus at 7:44 AM on October 31, 2010

The family has also been able to move out of Lincoln Park.
posted by morganannie at 7:44 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

I feel really sorry for this guy

I'm jealous of this guy. Fame -- even lame fame -- is like a magic backstage pass at a Vagina concert. I can only pray that such a golden goose egg lands in my lap one day.
posted by dgaicun at 7:47 AM on October 31, 2010 [3 favorites]

a magic backstage pass at a Vagina concert

Antoine Dodson would be more than happy to give away such a pass, dude.
posted by elizardbits at 7:51 AM on October 31, 2010 [11 favorites]

Ha ha. I didn't know he was gay!

Well he seems to be enjoying the attention anyhow.
posted by dgaicun at 7:54 AM on October 31, 2010

Antoine Dodson would be more than happy to give away such a pass, dude.

More fool him. Vagina never guard their rider. While they're on stage I'll be climbing in their dressing room, snatching their beers up.
posted by RokkitNite at 7:59 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

I hope Antoine keeps milking this thing for all it's worth.
posted by orme at 8:02 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

I'm jealous of this guy. Fame -- even lame fame -- is like a magic backstage pass at a Vagina concert.

Uh, according to wikipedia he's gay.
posted by delmoi at 8:03 AM on October 31, 2010

Also, anyone else notice there's no actual picture of the costume? Unless that's Antoine actually wearing the 'costume' in which case is it just the bandanna and black shirt? Or does it come with a wig?
posted by delmoi at 8:04 AM on October 31, 2010

I hate linking to Jezebel, but a good conversation with Dodson. Also, from a couple of months ago, but an interview with him on Tell Me More.

I share the reservations that plenty of people are just laughing at him and would wear this costume in an assholish way, but I also get the impression that Dodson knows exactly what he's doing, exactly why he's famous and he's not afraid to exploit that and make as much money as he can from this experience. He seems really smart, savvy and with it. He doesn't seem at all naive.

I am not worried about him. I think he's taking advantage of people more than people are taking advantage of him. I'm happy he's gotten to help his family and using his name and money for good.
posted by darksong at 8:12 AM on October 31, 2010 [10 favorites]

The Gregory Brothers have a Midas-like touch to give people their 15 minutes. The Double Rainbow guy (Bear) got his own Microsoft commercial. Dodson did a live performance at the BET awards.
posted by starman at 8:20 AM on October 31, 2010 [3 favorites]

The Wikipedia article links to a piece in the Washington Post that sums things up pretty well:

But when you consider that Dodson is an openly gay black man (who was) living in the projects in the deep south -- far from the cushy gay enclaves of Chelsea, Dupont Circle and West Hollywood -- you soon realize that he is one of the strongest people we’ve seen in a while. That Dodson can deal with the slights -- real and perceived -- that may come his way and still keep his head held high and a smile on his face despite the challenges he and his family faced is proof that he possesses an inner strength that is worthy of awe and respect.

posted by MegoSteve at 8:40 AM on October 31, 2010 [9 favorites]

oh man, straightening his hair was a bad call, imo.
posted by empath at 9:04 AM on October 31, 2010

He's got a sex offender tracker app too.

Good on him for making the best of the situation.
posted by NoraCharles at 9:23 AM on October 31, 2010

Am I the only one who thought this post was going to be about a bed-bug costume?
posted by Artful Codger at 9:42 AM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

Seriously, the Antoine Dodson thing is not funny. That poor guy.
posted by Ouisch at 9:48 AM on October 31, 2010

I'm glad he's making money from it and all. I just think that the original idea of making fun of someone who was freaking out on camera about his sister's assault was...in very poor taste. I also worry about the frat-boy-black-face angle.
posted by Ouisch at 9:51 AM on October 31, 2010

I was expecting the Nightman.
posted by indubitable at 9:53 AM on October 31, 2010

But do they have a Sexy Bed Intruder costume?
posted by sourwookie at 10:37 AM on October 31, 2010 [4 favorites]

making fun of someone who was freaking out on camera about his sister's assault

I think the guy is awesome. Yes, it's funny the way he expresses himself, but the guy went off on a rapist, called the guy out on TV. Now it's all over the world. That's freaking bad-ass. The guy is like a folk hero to me. And the fact that he is African-American, gay, and (was) living in relative poverty makes it all the more awesome -- he's an underdog in US society for so many reasons but he is not afraid to go balls to the wall on TV and tell some scumbag off. If only more people -- especially those who are disadvantaged -- would stand up and punk the people who attempt to wrong them. Sure, some people may think, "Ha ha, gay n****r talks funny, what a ghetto dumbass!" but if you base your opinion on something on what the worst possible interpretations of it are, you're pretty much going to cut yourself off from enjoying anything. You can find someone funny and admirable at the same time, and I would bet (hope?) that most people who wear his costume or watch his video or buy his song do so because they think he's funny yet also appreciate his guts and sincerity. If I met him, I'd totally hi5 him for being a kick-ass dude, AND for being able to appreciate why others would find the footage entertaining and embracing his 15 minutes with a good heart and a positive attitude.

I'm jealous of this guy. Fame -- even lame fame -- is like a magic backstage pass at a Vagina concert.

Uh, according to wikipedia he's gay.

So I guess that would make it more like an invitation to the VIP box at the cock parade.
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:41 AM on October 31, 2010 [12 favorites]

Not every Internet meme is about mocking someone.
posted by breath at 11:44 AM on October 31, 2010 [3 favorites]

By the way, was anyone else reminded of SNL's I didn't ask for this?
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:46 AM on October 31, 2010

That BET performance makes me so happy. He really seems to be loving it and the crowd singing along? So great.
posted by haveanicesummer at 11:46 AM on October 31, 2010

I love Antoine. Watch his YouTube channel; he's so sweet and full of joy. He's the best.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:09 PM on October 31, 2010

But do they have a Sexy Bed Intruder costume?

Well, since the official costume comes without pants, I think it IS the Sexy Bed Intruder Costume. Add your own pants for a modest version.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:23 PM on October 31, 2010

Wouldn't the real bed intruder costume be of a rapist who is so dumb?
posted by milarepa at 1:04 PM on October 31, 2010

Does it bother anybody else that this guy has become "famous" (infamous) because of his sister being raped, and that he seems to enjoy his new-found fame, which stems from his sister getting raped? Because I find it pretty darn sick. I also find all the costumes, viral videos, "funny" auto-tune videos, etc. pretty sick too.

I don't know, maybe I'm a killjoy, but I don't think rape is funny.
posted by 1000monkeys at 1:27 PM on October 31, 2010

She wasn't raped.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 1:36 PM on October 31, 2010

Does it bother anybody else that this guy has become "famous" (infamous) because of his sister being raped

It bothers me more how many people continue to comment without bothering to read anything else in the thread.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:43 PM on October 31, 2010 [7 favorites]

Yes, as said above, she wasn't raped- Antoine ran into the room and fought the guy off. Then he went on TV and warned his community about this guy. He's famous because he's a hero.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:52 PM on October 31, 2010 [6 favorites]

Sorry, I could've sworn he said that she was raped and I didn't really feel like getting into questioning that or using "allegedly" or downplaying it, but if that is the case, feel free to substitute assaulted, sexually assaulted, and/or attempted rape as the case may be. Either way, I don't think it's funny.

He's famous because he's a hero.

I think, if we're being honest, we can say that he is NOT famous for being a hero--he's famous for being "odd", "goofy", "over the top", whatever. This video didn't become viral because he's a hero any more than this one became viral because the lady is an excellent witness.
posted by 1000monkeys at 2:02 PM on October 31, 2010 [1 favorite]

It bothers me more how many people continue to comment without bothering to read anything else in the thread.
posted by PeterMcDermott at

yeah, sorry about that--for some reason it jumped to the last comment before mine. I must've been click-happy or something :-S
posted by 1000monkeys at 2:06 PM on October 31, 2010

I think, if we're being honest, we can say that he is NOT famous for being a hero--he's famous for being "odd", "goofy", "over the top", whatever. This video didn't become viral because he's a hero any more than this one became viral because the lady is an excellent witness.

A few thoughts:
#1, The video went viral because of the song. The song is partly so good because of the somewhat strange stuff Antoine said, but then there's the beat, too. It's just a good song. If it were a bad song, none of this would have happened.
#2, I think it's clear in interviews that Antoine understands that it's possible part of his fame comes from the completely strange narrative of his story (man saves sister from rapist, man gets autotuned by unrelated group, man becomes hit Billboard recording artist, PROFIT). It doesn't seem to bother him or his family that part of that might come from people laughing at them, because they're laughing all the way to the bank- I believe I saw the number $250,000 in one article. If that's how they're going to deal with their tragedy, who are we to say they shouldn't? No, sorry Dodsons, please just stay home in that same apartment in that same shitty neighborhood and cry; that's the only way we will accept you dealing with this thing that happened to you.
#3, Fame is not built on hate alone- there is a genuine swell of love and support for him. He's said in several interviews that a lot of the fans who contact him are people who survived sexual assault, and he takes very seriously talking with them, supporting them, and listening to their stories. And I think that is beautiful and if that makes him famous and he gets to stomp around LA in a fierce outfit
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:39 PM on October 31, 2010 [5 favorites]

Opps, my comment was truncated!

And I think that is beautiful and if that makes him famous and he gets to stomp around LA in a fierce outfit, then I think that's wonderful. Couldn't have happened to a finer fellow, as far as I'm concerned.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:43 PM on October 31, 2010

One thing, though TPS: This video went viral "long" (in internet time) before it got autotuned. I saw it on all the "funny videos" pages (college video, break.com, etc.) before anyone made the autotune video. In fact, that's probably *why* the autotune got made--because the video was already viral.

I just personally feel kind of ooky about the whole thing, especially because the brother is using it for publicity (though I grant that he didn't intend to become internet famous when he was interviewed). I wonder what the sister thinks of it. Maybe she's fine with it, I don't know. I just don't like it, something feels...well, wrong about it to me.
posted by 1000monkeys at 3:15 PM on October 31, 2010

Not to mention that when I first saw the video, knowing that it was viral by the time I saw it, it also came across as making fun of the dude as well (because he's over-the-top, gay, his speech patterns, whatever).
posted by 1000monkeys at 3:16 PM on October 31, 2010

Maybe because I've known a lot of people in a lot of places, that guy seems completely normal to me, and what he's saying seems totally rational given the situation. Good for him, making money for speaking his mind and not sounding like... who should he sound like? Dr. Dre? The President? Eh, I don't get it.
posted by Huck500 at 3:42 PM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

I hope Antoine makes as much money off of this as he possibly can.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:07 PM on October 31, 2010

1000monkeys: The video went viral because Antoine Dodson was so outrageous and over-the-top and local TV news is typically pretty staid and boring, so the contrast there was pretty funny. I have no doubt that many folks passed the video on because they were making fun of him, so what you're saying has some truth, but you miss an important point... after it blew up and the song was made, he was canny enough to get in front of the phenomenon and take what control he could over it. It's one of those situations where, when life makes you lemons, you make lemonade... and Antoine Dodson was savvy enough to open up a lemonade stand that netted him enough money to get his family out of the projects.

As internet memes go, Bed Intruder has gone on long past its expiration date, and that's largely due to Antoine's charm, wit, and finesse.
posted by MegoSteve at 5:09 PM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

True, MegoSteve. I can see what you're saying.
posted by 1000monkeys at 5:14 PM on October 31, 2010

One thing, though TPS: This video went viral "long" (in internet time) before it got autotuned. I saw it on all the "funny videos" pages (college video, break.com, etc.) before anyone made the autotune video.

Yeah, but that's what those sites are for- the small group of people who go to those sites are already looking for that sort of thing. That's not going viral- that's content for a content farm. Getting 37 million YouTube hits on your song and being played on the radio and making it in the Billboard Hot 100 is what it means to go viral.

I wonder what the sister thinks of it. This is discussed in almost any interview with Antoine. Check one out, see what you think.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:18 PM on October 31, 2010 [2 favorites]

he's famous for being "odd", "goofy", "over the top"

And what's wrong with that? We are all odd and goofy and either over or under the top. Good on this guy for owning it.
posted by Saxon Kane at 7:02 PM on October 31, 2010

He's already made enough money off this to move himself and his sister out of the projects.

I don't understand for one second why anyone feels "sorry" for him.
posted by unigolyn at 11:22 PM on October 31, 2010

Antoine Dodson was on Lopez last night.
posted by morganannie at 8:26 AM on November 9, 2010